Changes and Community

It is official:  I am moving back to Atlanta.

To some, this will come as a surprise.  To others, well, I’m sure you’re sick of hearing about it.  Ha.  The last couple months here in Ocala have been pretty difficult.  I’ve been fighting with my feelings of wanting to come back to Atlanta verses my  feelings of making the decision to come down here in the first place.  But what it all boils down to, is my “word of the month”:  Community.

I’m learning a lot about this subject right now, and it seems like almost every conversation I’m having revolves around this topic.  The importance of community amongst believers is so very vital.  And it is definitely possible to be around and immersed “christian” culture and not be in community.

To do life together.

To build each other up.

To pray for/with each other.

To challenge each other to grow.

To spend time together.

These are some characteristics of living in community.  These are things that I had in Atlanta that I miss most of all.  Sure, I love the feel and the energy of the big city…but that’s not why I’m coming back.  As I look back at the last couple months of my life, I don’t see very much growth in any area of my life.  Which just tells me something needs to change.  I have friends in Atlanta that love me and want to see me become the man God has called me to be, and I need them.

I’ve learned a lot about myself here in Ocala, and I’m sure down the road I’ll look back and have learned a few more lessons.  Thank you to everyone in Ocala and NTBC that made me feel welcome, I’m sorry the visit was so short.  I’ll pray that God continues to use you all to reach your community for Him.  Please pray for me that God will direct my steps.

Atlanta…I’ll see you in two weeks.